Method of enhancing immune-resilience of fish to skin diseases and skin parasites

Abstract

A nutritional supplement may be included in a fish diet and fed to fish in order to enhance immune-resilience of the fish to skin diseases and skin parasites. The nutritional supplement may include a carrier oil; 22-30 wt. % Omega 3; and 8-20 wt. % Omega 7. In some embodiments, the carrier oil may be a vegetable oil. In some embodiments, the Omega 3 includes EPA and DHA fatty acids. In some embodiments, the Omega 3 includes a mixture of EPA and DHA having ratios in the range of 1:10 to 10:1 wt. %. A method of enhancing immune-resilience of fish to skin diseases and skin parasites involves feeding to fish the nutritional supplement comprising a carrier oil, 22-30 wt. % omega 3 fatty acids and 8-20 wt. % omega 7 fatty acids.

1 . A method of enhancing immune-resilience of fish to skin diseases and skin parasites comprising feeding to fish a nutritional supplement comprising a carrier oil, 22-30 wt. % omega 3 fatty acids and 8-20 wt. % omega 7 fatty acids. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier oil in the nutritional supplement is prepared from  Nannochloropsis  oil and/or  Schizochytrium  oil. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the omega 3 fatty acids in the nutritional supplement include a mixture of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fatty acids, having ratios in the range of 1:10 to 10:1 wt. % EPA:DHA. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier oil in the nutritional supplement is prepared by mixing a first carrier oil containing omega 3 fatty acids and a second carrier oil containing omega 7 fatty acids. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nutritional supplement further comprises fishmeal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of feeding the nutritional supplement to fish comprises feeding to fish a ready-to-use diet for fish containing the nutritional supplement, wherein the fishmeal includes a mixture comprising protein and carbohydrates. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ready-to-use diet for fish containing the nutritional supplement comprises 0.7-7.5 wt. % omega 3 fatty acids and 2.0-7.7 wt. % omega 7 fatty acids. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ready-to-use diet for fish containing the nutritional supplement comprises 5-50 wt. % protein, 5-50 wt. % carbohydrates and 0.2-30 wt. % oil of the total weight. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the carrier oil comprises fish oil and/or vegetable oil, and wherein the protein comprises soy protein concentrate and/or animal byproducts. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the carrier oil comprises oil from anchovy, rapeseed and/or sea buckthorn. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional supplement is configured to enhance immune-resilience of fish against sea lice. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of feeding the nutritional supplement to fish comprises feeding to fish a fish feed composition containing the nutritional supplement.